Ian Huntley, who killed schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham
in 2003, has been taken to hospital after having his throat slashed.

Huntley is being treated in hospital for the wound to his throat, which is said to be serious but not life-threatening.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson confirmed the injury was sustained in an assault by another prisoner on Sunday afternoon.

"A prisoner at HMP Frankland was assaulted by another prisoner at about 3.25pm on Sunday 21 March," said a spokesman.

"The prisoner was taken to outside hospital for treatment. His condition is not thought to be life-threatening."

Huntley, 36, is currently serving two life sentences at Frankland Prison, a maximum-security facility in County Durham, where he has reportedly been given "special treatment" by guards to prevent a reprise of previous suicide attempts.